Developer Wykeland Group has begun a project to restore and refurbish a landmark building in the shadow of Beverley Minster.
The works will breathe new life into Minster House, which forms part of Beverley’s Flemingate centre, and make it a prime office location in the thriving market town.
Wykeland has appointed Hull-based contractor Stubbs Brothers to carry out the sensitive modernisation of the building to provide a total of 10,000 sq ft of refurbished office accommodation over three floors.
More than £550,000 is being invested to create a new chapter in the history of the building on Flemingate, which dates back to the mid-19th century. Minster House was once used as a warehouse for the former Hodgson’s Tannery, which was one of Beverley’s biggest employers for more than 150 years until its closure in 1978.
In recent times Minster House has been used for offices, but the building has been vacant for the past year after previous tenants were relocated to allow for the comprehensive restoration and reconfiguration scheme.
The works will include a new entrance lobby, atrium and glass lift, making the building fully accessible for the first time, new toilets and showers, and refurbishment of the office accommodation, as well as addition of a secure cycle store. The building has also been re-roofed, with the replacement period-style windows to the upper floors and refurbished windows on the ground floor.
The revival of Minster House will build on the success of the Flemingate centre. Opened by Wykeland four years ago, Flemingate has become a thriving retail and leisure destination, which also incorporates fully-let offices within Armstrong House.
Wykeland Group Asset Manager John Gouldthorp said: “This project will respect the heritage of Minster House and its location within a conservation area, while ensuring it meets today’s expectations from companies and employees for high-quality working environments.
“It will create fully-compliant, modern office accommodation in a prime location at the Flemingate centre and just a short stroll from the heart of Beverley town centre.
“As the businesses in Armstrong House and their staff have found, Minster House offers the benefits of a high-profile location and excellent facilities, including dedicated, secure parking within Flemingate’s multi-storey car park, with cafés, restaurants and shopping all on the doorstep.
“Beverley is growing in popularity as an office location, reflecting the vibrancy of the town and the many advantages it offers, but quality accommodation in a central location is in very short supply. For all these reasons we expect there to be strong demand for the newly remodelled and renovated offices in Minster House.”
The works are due to be complete in February 2020 when Minster House will offer a variety of office suites ranging from 1,325 sq ft to 3,270 sq ft, with contract parking available in Flemingate’s 500-space multi-storey car park.
Minster House is located just 300 metres east of the town centre, with excellent public transport links from nearby towns and cities and good road links with York, Hull and Leeds. The building is also just a two-minute walk from Beverley Railway Station.
Joint agents for Minster House are Scotts Property and PPH Commercial.
Tim Powell, Partner at Scotts Property, said: “Following the successful letting of Armstrong House to a number of high-profile Beverley businesses, Minster House’s refurbishment will reinforce the attractiveness of this area as a business location.
“Beverley has always suffered from a lack of quality office accommodation within easy walk of the town’s amenities and all that it has to offer.
“The extent and quality of the refurbishment being undertaken will provide companies with an attractive, modern, open plan office environment within this landmark building fronting Flemingate, with the added benefit of on-site car parking within the multi-story car park to the rear.”
Ben Cooper, Divisional Director for PPH Commercial, said: “This project is an excellent example of blending the old and the new to bring fresh life to a building with an interesting history linked to Beverley’s industrial past.
“The sympathetic remodelling and refurbishment of Minster House will create a very rare opportunity for companies to remain in Beverley or relocate to the town and operate from modern offices within a building with character and heritage appeal.”
Hull-based Wykeland is one of Yorkshire and the Humber’s leading commercial developers. As well as Flemingate, Wykeland’s flagship developments include the fast-growing Bridgehead business park close to the Humber Bridge, the expanding Melton West site in East Yorkshire, and the @TheDock tech campus in Hull’s Fruit Market waterfront quarter.
Wykeland is also part of the Wykeland Beal joint venture with East Yorkshire-based Beal Homes which is driving forward the regeneration of Hull’s Fruit Market urban village, in partnership with Hull City Council, and is working with Hambleton District Council to transform the former Northallerton Prison site in North Yorkshire into the £17m Treadmills retail, leisure and business destination.
